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Every year, 600,000 people transition back into their lives after spending time in state and federal correctional facilities, according to a report from the Vera Institute. 600,000 people that need jobs and probably sooner than later.

The Vera Institute also found a rising demand for workers following the passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aims to strengthen the infrastructure in the U.S.. This is expected to create 1.5 million jobs per year by 2033.

The Departments of Corrections (DOCs) in different states across the U.S. are helping fill that demand through partnering with employers, schools, and community-based programs to provide training for future high-demand jobs. Apprenticeships are perfect for this, which is why you’ll see many trade jobs on this list, with some even paying as much as $100,000 or more.

Let’s bust some of this data open and look at the top jobs for people with a record (that also pay well) so you can quickly get back on your feet.

Key takeaways:

• The highest-paying job for people with criminal records is an elevator and escalator installer and repairer with a median salary of $106,580 (BLS).
• The top-paying jobs for people with a criminal history from our Salary Database are web developers ($165,000) and ironworkers ($134,000).
• Jobs for ex-offenders with the highest demand are certified peer support specialists (11% increase) and electrical power-line installers (7% increase).
• Apprenticeships are a great way to reenter the job force as someone with a record.
• None of these jobs require 4-year degrees. 
• Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our Salary Database.

8 Careers for People With a Criminal Record That Pay Over $51K

We’ve identified these roles using data from the Vera Institute and Apprenticeship.gov. All salary data included is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), our Salary Database of over 13,000+ publicly shared salaries from our community, and 3+ years of street interviews.

To find more about these different jobs, search our Salary Database and Transparent Job Board. Don’t forget to join and add your salary!

1. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (or Mechanics)

Median salary (BLS): $106,580

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $106,000

Job growth (2024-2034): 5%

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, also referred to as elevator mechanics, do exactly what their job title says. They install new elevators and escalators, do routine servicing, or fix them when they break down. They make pretty good money doing it too, and without the requirement for a college degree. 

We interviewed two union elevator mechanics that make $56 an hour (20 years of experience) and $40 an hour (3 years of experience). Many trade jobs are unionized which is another perk for people with a record looking for stability. You’ll have a union on your side that provides you with a pension and great healthcare, and pays you time and a half for overtime.

This job is perfect for people with a record because apprenticeships care more about your skills. However, they still run background checks and a job offer may depend on the nature of the charge. Either way, focus on passing the aptitude test first.

Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship.

Learn the skills for this job: General Physics

2. Web Developer

Median salary (BLS): $95,380

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $165,000 

Job growth (2024-2034): 7%

Web developers are responsible for coding websites, with some also focusing on web design. This is a great role for someone with a record because you can learn coding and design skills online and many jobs don’t require a degree. There are also freelance opportunities where many freelance clients don’t run background checks. They only care about what you can do for them.

We interviewed a senior web designer that makes $175,000 a year and says he loves the work. It has a good work-life balance and offers remote job options, but it doesn't pay any overtime.

Required education: High school diploma and an associate’s degree in computer science or web development (certifications will work too). Some employers will hire based on a portfolio of projects (personal or professional) and proof that you’re pursuing education or certification.

Learn the skills for this job: Introduction to Web Development

3. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Median salary: $92,560

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $134,000 

Job growth (2024-2034): 7%

When you see someone referred to as a lineman or lineworker, those are electrical power-line installers and repairers. They’re the reason we have a power grid in the first place and our saviors that come in the middle of the night when the power is out, which is partly why they make such good money and are growing in demand. We interviewed a lineworker that works in Washington state and makes just over $64 an hour as her base wage with 11 years of experience. 

The reason this is a great role for someone who is justice-impacted is because even though they do background checks, they often encourage people with a criminal record to apply (as seen on many job openings on Apprenticeship.gov). Some states may also have specific programs to help get into the trade. For example, in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, they referred to a Line Clearance and Tree Trim Program that was a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Corrections and a local energy services company. Upon graduation, they became eligible to join the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW).

They care about your skills and you getting through lineschool, not your past. However, they might require a clean driving record because there is driving required for the job.

Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship.

Learn the skills for this job: Electric Power Systems

4. Industrial Engineer Technician

Median salary (BLS): $64,790

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $115,000 at Intel

Job growth (2024-2034): 2% (11% for industrial engineers)

Industrial engineer technicians come up with new ways to create more efficient systems when thinking about how people work and the materials and machines they use to get that work done. Basically, they look at what people and organizations are doing and how to improve it, and they’re much needed for improving our infrastructure and how we do things. 

For example, they may look at the time workers take to do a task, what’s included in those tasks, and use that data to create goals to help that organization improve its products and quality of service.

This is also another job where you can get into it via apprenticeship and they often accept people with a record, depending on the nature of what’s in your record, of course. 

Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship. You can also study towards a degree in industrial engineering while working to increase your salary.

Learn the skills for this job: Automotive Industrial Engineering

5. Ironworker

Median salary (BLS): $61,940

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $134,000

Job growth (2024-2034): 4%

Ironworkers are the jack of all trades. They basically have 5 trades rolled into one job title. They may do concrete reinforcement, structural iron work, enclose the glass in the building, ornamental iron work for hand rails and other necessities, and maintenance iron work. They’re kind of the whole reason we have bridges, buildings, stadiums, you name it.

You can get started with an apprenticeship and your DOC may already have agreements with local unions. For example, the Washington State DOC offers a pre-apprenticeship program called the Trades Related Apprenticeship Coaching (TRAC) program for those who are incarcerated and want to become carpenters, ironworkers, cement masons, and laborers. Over 600 students have graduated and went on to registered apprenticeships and post-release employment.

You can also work up in this field to make up to six-figures. We interviewed a training director for the Ironworkers Local Union No. 22 that makes $40 an hour, but with the total union benefits package, it’s easily worth over $100,000 a year.

Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship.

Learn the skills for this job: Heavy Manufacturing

6. IT Support Analyst

Median salary (BLS): $61,550

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $70,000 at Verisk

Job growth (2024-2034): -3%

IT (information technology) support is a great-paying tech job that doesn’t require an expensive degree. Many companies look for some type of past customer support experience or an associate’s degree, and often hire entry-level workers because many can learn on the job. The things you’ll be doing in this job is replying to customer support tickets, troubleshooting their issues, and finding ways to resolve them as soon as possible to minimize any disruption of service.

The job is great for ex-offenders because it has a lower barrier of entry when compared to other tech jobs and you can learn skills online and on the job. We interviewed someone who works in IT that makes $187,000 a year and he recommends some base entry-level certifications can help you break into the field (Security+ is a good one and you can learn online). 

Required education: High school diploma and associate’s degree in information technology or similar area, certificates, or on-the-job training.

Learn the skills for this job: Technical Support Fundamentals

7. Construction Worker or Equipment Operator

Median salary (BLS): $58,320

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $66,000 at Consigli

Job growth (2024-2034): 4%

Construction workers do a variety of things in the building process. They may prep the site, handle materials, operate machinery, or work in demolition, among many other tasks. There is a ton of opportunity in the field with several roles to choose from, including construction laborer, equipment operator, or explore roles in carpentry or bricklaying. Once you get into the field, you can also choose to move up to construction/building inspector or construction manager.

These are all great for people trying to reenter the workforce. You can get started as an apprenticeship and get paid on-the-job training. We interviewed a construction worker who makes $21 an hour 4 months into the job.

Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

Learn the skills for this job: Construction Techniques and Practices

8. Certified Peer Support Specialist

Median salary (BLS): $51,030

Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: $54,000

Job growth (2024-2034): 11%

Peer support specialists have a distinct requirement that makes it perfect for folks with a record. It’s specifically for people with lived experience from incarceration, mental health, and substance abuse issues. Christopher Life Willars spent 17 years in prison (after a 144-year sentence) and now runs a TikTok account where he empowers others through his personal story, including helping people with felonies find jobs. He specifically recommends this job in one of his recent TikTok videos.

We also interviewed a peer support specialist in the video below that makes $43,000 a year and thinks they can hit $50,000 if they stick with it. They stated the position has a lot of flexibility and they enjoy working in the community.

Required education: High school diploma and certified peer support specialist training.

Learn the skills for this job: Mental Healthcare Fundamentals

Employers That Hire People With Records

There are several employers that seek to hire people with a record, also referred to as second-chance employers, partly thanks to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit that gives them tax discounts for doing so. We also talked about this credit in our disability-friendly jobs article and how it’s a great way for companies to avoid excluding people who face barriers to employment.

A few of these companies include:

Find dozens more in this full list of felon-friendly employers.

Re-Entering The Job Market As An Ex-Offender

Figuring out how you’re going to get your next job is scary but you don’t have to do it on your own. There are tools and resources available to help you along the way, including programs that work with you personally to take the next step.

A few of these resources include:

• Job reentry programs: CareerOneStop has a ReEntry Program Finder to search for a local program near you.
• Clearing your criminal record: Use the resources at the National Reentry Resource Center to learn how you can clear your criminal record.
• Job board for people with criminal records: Join HonestJobs.com created by people with records to help others reentering the job market to find jobs and programs that help with other basic needs.
• Our Salary Transparent Job Board: Every job post is listed with transparent salary information!
• Our FREE career guides: Read free career guides that are jam-packed with knowledge to help you get into the field of your choice, including quizzes that match you with the job title(s) that best fits you.

When searching for jobs online, be sure to filter by equal opportunity employers and felon-friendly employers if those are options on the job board you use. The specific name of the filter may change depending on the job board. One example is Indeed’s “Fair chance” filter.

Keep this list of jobs and resources saved on your phone or email it to yourself so you can have it as a checklist and cheatsheet. When you’re getting stuck or discouraged, come back to this to see if there is something you haven’t utilized yet.

That’s a wrap for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the CNET Money Expert Review Board, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the Salary Transparent Street blog (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on Linkedin. Chat soon!

If this guide helps you land your dream job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com

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